Andrus Öövel

Andrus Öövel (born October 17, 1957 in Tallinn ) is an Estonian politician .

Life and politics

Andrus Öövel worked in the Ministry of Interior of the Estonian SSR from 1975 to 1988 . In 1985 he graduated from Tartu State University ( Tartu Riiklik Ülikool ) with a degree in law .

In 1988/89 Öövel was manager of the Estonian Olympic Committee ( Eesti Olümpiakomitee ). In 1990, shortly before Estonia's separation from the Soviet Union , he became Chief of Staff of the Estonian Home Guard, Eesti Kodukaitse . From 1990 to 1993 Öövel was the director of the newly established Estonian Border Guard ( Piirivalveamet ). For political reasons he was dismissed in 1993 by Prime Minister Mart Laar .

In 1994 Öövel joined the Estonian Coalition Party ( Eesti Koonderakond ) founded by Tiit Vähi in 1991 , and became its chairman in 1999. In early 1995 he was elected as a member of the Estonian Parliament ( Riigikogu ). From April 1995 to November 1995 Öövel was Minister of Defense of the Republic of Estonia in the cabinet of Prime Minister Tiit Vähi. He held the same office in the following Vähi cabinet from November 1995 to March 1997 and then in the cabinet of Prime Minister Mart Siimann from March 1997 to March 1999.

After retiring from active Estonian politics Öövel went as a consultant in the Switzerland at the Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) .

Private life

Andrus Öövel was married to the Estonian Anu Öövel. He has three sons and one daughter. Andrus Öövel is a multiple Estonian champion in canoe racing .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Archive link ( Memento of the original from October 14, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
2. ↑ Eesti Elulood. Tallinn: Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus 2000 (= Eesti Entsüklopeedia 14) ISBN 9985-70-064-3 , p. 629